On the Ground with Operation Smile’s Surgical Training Program in Rwanda

For fifth-year surgical residence trainee Dr. Fidel Simba, the day begins early. He grabs a cup of coffee, hops on a bus to the Ruhengeri Referral Hospital in northwest Rwanda, where he presents a course on acute burn care to a group of fellow surgical trainees. For aspiring plastic surgeons in the region, this is particularly interesting: Both burn and cleft care are considered essential surgeries, and they can expect to encounter many burn patients as their careers progress.  

Raised is Rwanda, Simba is part of Operation Smile’s efforts to expand access to essential surgical care. He is just one of the nearly 5,000 medical professionals who have received training in 48 countries in 10 different specialty areas, including surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses and more. Operation Smile’s global medical programs increase access to essential surgical care to communities, investing in the development of locally based providers.  

In Rwanda, the need is especially great. “We are 13 million being served by just five plastic surgeons,” explains Simba, who is one of six currently in training. “There are so many patients out there who are not getting the right care. You can imagine the gap. Going through this training and working with so many different surgeons is a privilege.”   

After the burn care presentation, Simba is on to his next task: Working under the supervision of Dr. Charles Furaha, he’s preparing to assist in minor surgeries. “Today, Simba and I went through the patients [and their cases] just to make sure that his plans align with mine. That way, if I am not around, he can still perform the procedure confidently,” says Furaha. 

This mix of hands-on patient care and teaching has an even bigger purpose than addressing the day’s caseloads. “They come and support us,” says Dr. Faustin Ntirenganya, another plastic surgeon at the hospital, “but eventually they will replace us in a few years from now.”  

Furaha agrees. “I don’t want them to be like me; I want them to be much better than me,” he says. “I will keep mentoring and pushing them and telling them that they can do it.” 

Plastic surgeon trainees like Simba create a ripple effect in their communities to increase access to essential care and safe surgery. Mentorship is a cornerstone of Operation Smile’s work: Furaha and Faustin are helping train and mentor the next generation of plastic surgeons with the support of the Ministry of Health, the government of Rwanda, local hospitals, Operation Smile and the University of Rwanda. Together, they are creating a future where patients will have access to the care they deserve closer to their homes. 

But for Simba, the positive effects are immediate. “The next day after surgery, we go through the previous cases we completed. We see how the patients are doing post-operatively,” he says. “And then we decide who can be discharged and who is staying and what’s the next plan for their management. Once you start seeing the results you are very happy.  I’m like. ‘Yeah, this is not a mistake. I’m supposed to be here, and I’m happy to be here.’”  

Learn more about how Operation Smile is strengthening the global healthcare workforce through education and training programs like the one in Rwanda.